U.S. patent number 4,705,023 [Application Number 06/863,235] was granted by the patent office on 1987-11-10 for endoscope having rotatable clamp inserting section.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Keiichi Arai.
United States Patent |
4,705,023 |
Arai |
November 10, 1987 |
Endoscope having rotatable clamp inserting section
Abstract
An endoscope comprises a tubular operating section, a clamp
inserting section provided on the operating section, an operating
tool being inserted into the patient's body cavity through the
clamp inserting section, and a channel tube having one end
connected to the clamp inserting section and extending through the
clamp inserting section into an inserting section. The clamp
inserting section is rotatable in the circumferential directions of
the operating section by an angle less than 360.degree..
Inventors: |
Arai; Keiichi (Tokyo,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
(Tokyo, JP)
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Family
ID: |
14466620 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/863,235 |
Filed: |
May 14, 1986 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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May 20, 1985 [JP] |
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60-107735 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/153; 600/104;
600/137 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
1/018 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
1/018 (20060101); A61B 1/012 (20060101); A61B
001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/4,6,7,3,5 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2946372 |
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Dec 1982 |
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DE |
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3206381 |
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Sep 1983 |
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DE |
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56-68501 |
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Oct 1981 |
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JP |
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Primary Examiner: Grieb; William H.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An endoscope comprising:
a tubular operating section having a longitudinal axis;
an inserting section connected to said operating section and
inserted into the patient's body cavity;
a clamp inserting section provided on said operating section, an
operating tool being inserted into the patient's body cavity
through said clamp inserting section; and
a channel tube having one end connected to said clamp inserting
section and extending through said clamp inserting section into
said inserting section;
said operating section including means for supporting said clamp
inserting section such that said clamp inserting section is
rotatable in the circumferential directions of said operating
section by an angle less than 360.degree. .
2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said clamp inserting
section has a portion projecting at an angle with respect to said
longitudinal axis of said operating section, said angle being held
constant while said clamp inserting member is rotated with respect
to said operating section.
3. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein said support means
includes holder means for holding said clamp inserting section at a
predetermined position.
4. The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein said holding means
includes a tubular support coaxial with said longitudinal axis, and
said clamp inserting section includes a support section mounted on
said tubular support for rotation about said longitudinal axis, a
branch section extending from said support section at a
predetermined angle thereto, and an inlet member provided on the
free end of said branch section.
5. The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein said support means
includes a recess formed in said operating section and extending
circumferentially to subtend a predetermined angle and an
engagement projection provided on said clamp inserting section and
engaged in said recess for movement in the circumferential
directions, the movement of said clamp inserting section being
restricted according to the range of movement of said engagement
projection.
6. The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein said holding means
includes an O-ring made of an elastic material and provided between
said support section and tubular support.
7. The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein said support means
includes a pair of pins spaced apart in the circumferential
direction to subtend a predetermined angle and an engagement
projection provided on said clamp inserting section, between said
pair pins, the movement of said clamp inserting section being
restricted according to the range of movement of said engagement
projection between said pair pins.
8. The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein said holding means
includes a frictional member provided between and in frictional
engagement with said support section and tubular support.
9. The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein said holding means
includes a click mechanism provided between said support section
and tubular support.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to endoscopes with an operating section
provided with a clamp inserting section.
A usual endoscope has a channel for guiding a clamp or like
operation tool into the patient's body. The channel has one end
open at the end of an inserting section of the endoscope, and the
other end open at a clamp inserting section provided on an
operating section. The operation tool is guided from the clamp
inserting section through the channel into the patient's body.
With this prior art endoscope, the clamp inserting section is open
toward the center of the operating section. Therefore, when the
operator inserts the operation tool into the clamp inserting
section from the left side of the operating section with the left
hand, while gripping the section with the right hand, or he or she
when inserts the tool from the right side of the section with the
right hand, while gripping the section with the left hand, he or
she must bend the hand inserting the tool unnaturally to insert the
tool into the clamp inserting section. The tool, therefore, cannot
be efficiently inserted, and the operator is tired. In another
aspect, the operating section is sometimes rotated to direct the
end of the inserting section to a different position during
observation of the patient's body cavity. In this case, the clamp
inserting section is also rotated with the operating section. In
consequence, the opening of the clamp inserting section is further
deviated, making it further difficult to insert the operation
tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide an endoscope, with which
the clamp inserting section can be orientated to allow an easy
insertion of the operation tool.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view showing part of a first embodiment of the
endoscope according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view showing part of the same
endoscope;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a clamp inserting section of
the same endoscope;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing a modification of
the clamp inserting section;
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal, sectional view showing the clamp
inserting section shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a side view showing part of a second embodiment of the
endoscope according to the invention;
FIG. 7 is a transversal, sectional view showing part of the
endoscope shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a side view showing part of a third embodiment of the
endoscope according to the invention; and
FIG. 9 is a transversal, sectional view showing part of the
endoscope shown in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Now, some preferred embodiments of the endoscope according to the
invention will be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment. This endoscope has operating
section 1 for performing various operations outside the patient's
body. Operating section 1 includes main body section 2, grip
section 3 extending from an end of main body section 2, and end
section 4 extending from an end of grip section 3. Main body
section 2 has ocular section 5 provided at the other end, i.e.,
stem. Light guide cable 6 is connected to the periphery of main
body section 1. The stem of an inserting section 7 is connected to
the free end of end section 4. A conventional distal end (not
shown) is connected to the free end of inserting section 7. Clamp
inserting section 8 is mounted on end section 4 and can move around
section 4, as will be described later in detail.
As shown in FIG. 2, end section 4 has tubular support 9 having a
stem secured to grip section 3. Tubular cover 10 is coaxially
provided on the outer periphery of a stem portion of tubular
support 9. Clamp inserting section 8 is mounted on an end portion
of end section 4 such that it can be rotated about the axis of
operating section 1, i.e., center line of tubular support 9.
Section 8 has support section 11 and branch section 12 outwardly
extending from section 11 at an angle. Support section 11 is
coaxially and rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of tubular
support 9. First O-ring 13 made of an elastic material such as
rubber is provided between the inner periphery of the rear end of
support section 11 and the outer periphery of the front end of
cover 10. First O-ring 13 ensures liquid tightness between support
section 11 and cover 10, and it also acts as a frictional
engagement member constituting holder means. Second O-ring 15 made
of an elastic material such as rubber is provided between the outer
periphery of the front end of support section 11 and tubular
retainer cover 14 covering the same outer periphery. Second O-ring
15 ensures liquid tightness between support section 11 and retainer
cover 14, and it also acts as a frictional engagement member. Clamp
inserting section 8 is held at a given position against free
rotation by the frictional resistances offered by first and second
O-rings 13 and 15. Support section 11 has rearward extension
extending 16 from part of the rear end. Rearward extension 16 is
received for movement in circumferential directions in guide groove
17, which is cut in the outer periphery of cover 10 and extend
circumferentially for a predetermined angle of less than
360.degree., for example 180.degree. or less. Clamp inserting
section 8 can thus rotate by an angle to move rearward extension 16
along guide groove 17, i.e., by the angle subtended by guide groove
17.
First inlet member 18 is secured to branch section 12 of clamp
inserting section 8 with its free end portion inserted in branch
section 12. The rear end of channel tube 19, which is a flexible
tube forming a channel, is connected to the free end of first inlet
member 18. Second inlet member 20 is connected to the rear end of
first inlet member 18. The open end of second inlet member 20 is
closed by clamp plug 21, which is made of an elastic material,
e.g., rubber, and has a central notch 21a. A clamp or like
operation tool, not shown, can be inserted into channel tube 19 by
forcibly opening the notch of clamp plug 21. Channel tube 19 is led
into operating section 1 through opening 22 which is formed in the
peripheral wall of tubular support 9 and extends circumferentially
to subtend a predetermined angle. Channel tube 19 extends through
operating section 1 and inserting section 7, and has an open end
open at the free end of inserting section 7. Thus, the operation
tool inserted into channel tube 9 can be led into the patient's
body cavity through the free end of inserting section 7.
Tubular support 9 has a lock pin 23 formed on the outer periphery
near the rear end. Lock pin 23 is engaged in engagement groove 24
formed in the inner periphery of the rear end of cover 10 to
prevent relative rotation of tubular support 9 and cover 10.
Opening 22 has a sufficient circumferential dimension, i.e.,
subtends a sufficient angle, so that channel tube 19 will not touch
the edges of opening 22 when clamp inserting section 8 is
rotated.
With the endoscope having the above construction, when inserting
the operation tool with the right hand, the clamp inserting section
8 is turned to the right while holding grip section 3 with the left
hand. Clamp plug 21 provided on second inlet member 20 thus is
brought to a position on the right side of the center of operating
section 1. In this status, the operator can insert the tool through
clamp plug 21 into channel tube 19, without unnaturally bending the
right hand. When inserting the operation tool with the left hand,
clamp inserting section 8 is turned in the opposite direction to
bring clamp plug 21 to a position on the left side of the center of
operating section 1. In this case, the operation tool can be easily
inserted through clamp plug 21 into channel tube 19 with the left
hand. Since rearward extension 16 of support section 11 of clamp
inserting section 8 is engaged in guide groove 17, the rotation of
clamp inserting section 8 is restricted according to the
circumferential angle subtended by guide groove 17. Therefore,
there is no possibility of excessively turning clamp inserting
section 8 in one direction to cause twisting of channel tube 19 or
make it impossible to insert the operation tool. Further, clamp
inserting section 8 can be held at a desired rotational position by
the frictional resistances offered by first and second O-rings 13
and 15. Thus, clamp inserting section 8 can be positioned to be
most suitable for insertion within its rotational angle defined by
guide groove 17.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the invention. This
embodiment is different from the preceding first embodiment in the
structure of defining the rotational angle of clamp inserting
section 8. More specifically, branch section 12 of clamp inserting
section 8 has engagement pin 26 extending from the rear end, while
on the outer periphery of the free end of cover 10 there are
provided with a pair of outwardly extending stopper pins 27
circumferentially spaced apart a predetermined distance. The
rotation of clamp inserting section 8 is restricted by the
engagement of engagement pin 26 with stopper pins 27. Further, in
this embodiment branch section 12 is formed with recess or
accommodation space 28 open on the inner periphery in frictional
contact with the outer periphery of cover 10. Spring 28 and ball 29
are accommodated in accommodation space 30 such that ball 29 is
outwardly spring biased. The outer periphery of cover 10, on the
other hand, is formed with a plurality of recesses 31
circumferentially spaced at a predetermined interval. Ball 29 thus
can be click engaged and disengaged with respect to recesses 31
owing to the spring force of spring 28. This function assists the
frictional resistances offered by first and second O-rings 13 and
15 to reliably hold clamp inserting section 8 at a desired angular
position.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the invention. This
embodiment is different from the previous first embodiment in that
clamp inserting section 8 is mounted on main body section 2 of
operating section. More specifically, main body section 2 has a
slide guide slat 35 formed circumferentially in the peripheral
wall. On the other hand, clamp inserting section 8 has slider
section 39 and head section 37 integral therewith via constricted
section 38. Head section 37 has see-through hole 36 which
communicates with channel tube 19. Slider section 39 is provided in
main body section 2 with packing 40 provided as a frictional member
between it and inner periphery of main body section 2, and
constricted section 38 slidably penetrates side guide slat 35.
Slider section 19 has circumferential slot 41 extending in the same
direction as slide guide slot 35. Engaged in slot 41 is stopper pin
42, which projects from the inner periphery of main body section 2
and has a head having a greater diameter than the width of slot 41.
Clamp inserting section 8 is thus slidable along side guide slot
35. The range of sliding is defined by the engagement of stopper
pin 42 with each end of slot 41. Clamp inserting section 8 can be
held at a desired position by the frictional resistance offered by
packing 40.
FIGS. 8 and 9 show a fourth embodiment of the invention. This
embodiment is the same as the preceding third embodiment insofar as
clamp inserting section is provided on main body section 2 but is
different from the third embodiment in the structure of mounting
the clamp inserting section. More specifically, in this embodiment
clamp inserting section 8 is mounted on a flat surface of main body
section 2. It is mounted on main body section 2 by pin 46, about
which it can be rotated. Its rotational angle is defined by a pair
of stopper pins 47 projecting from main body section 2. Channel
tube 19 connected to see-through hole 36 of clamp inserting section
8 is led through a see-through hole 48 formed in the peripheral
wall of main body section 2. Packing 49 is provided as a frictional
member between clamp inserting section 8 and main body section 2,
so that clamp inserting section 8 can be held at a desired
rotational position. With this structure, by turning clamp
inserting section 8 about pin 46 the orientation of see-through
hole 36 can be varied so that the operation tool can be easily
inserted as in the previous first embodiment.
Although not shown, according to the invention clamp inserting
section 8 may be provided between main body section 2 and ocular
section 5 or any other desired portion in operating section 1.
As has been described in the foregoing, according to the invention
the clamp inserting section is mounted on the operating section for
movement relative thereto, for instance in the circumferential
direction, so that it can be brought to an orientation suited for
easily inserting the operation tool. The operation tool thus can be
inserted easily and quickly.
* * * * *